Another “quick takes” on items where there is too little to say to make a complete article, but is still important enough to comment on.

The focus this time: Education

Despite the fact that under both Federal and state non-discrimination laws, it is illegal in Michigan to discriminate against someone based on their race or religion, a teaching contract does just that:

“The contract ran from 2011 to 2012 but was extended to 2017. The teachers belong to the Ferndale Education Association, a division of the Michigan Education Association.

“Regarding promotion to a vacant position, it states on page 22:

“‘Should there be two (2) or more of these applicants with equal qualifications for the position and one (1) or more of these applicants with equal qualifications is a current employee, the current employee with the greatest seniority shall be assigned. Special consideration shall be given to women and/or minority defined as: Native American, Asian American, Latino, African American and those of the non-Christian faith. However, in all appointments to vacant positions, the Board’s decision shall be final.'”

The school districts excuse? That they didn’t even know what was in there! Methinks that a reading assignment complete with book report is in order…

Speaking of schools behaving badly, here is an example of a school punishing a principal for daring to tell students in America that they shouldn’t be speaking Spanish:

“Hempstead Middle School Principal Amy Lacey was placed on paid administrative leave in December after reportedly announcing, via intercom, that students were not to speak Spanish on the school’s campus. The Hispanic population of the rural area, roughly 50 miles northwest of Houston, is growing quickly, and Latino advocates say that it’s important to allow Spanish in public schools.

“‘When you start banning aspects of ethnicity or cultural identity,’ says Augustin Pinedo, director of the League of United Latin American Citizens Region 18, ‘it sends the message that the child is not wanted: “We don’t want your color. We don’t want your kind.” They then tend to drop out early.'”

She wasn’t “oppressing” the students. She was helping them get ahead. The mastery of English is still the best way for a non-English speaking student to get ahead. Nor is it “oppressive” to expect citizens (or prospective citizens) of the United States understand the common language of the United States?

Over at Legal Insurrection, Bryan Jacoutot takes issue with an article from The Atlantic that declares that over-parenting is bad so parents should just not interfere in a child’s education:

“I disagree with Goldstein’s interpretation of the study that parents shouldn’t help their children with their homework. Just as hyper-paternalism isn’t the best way to facilitate learning, neither is laissez-faire parenting. We should not trade one extreme for the other.

“Rather, the data indicated parents should be accessible, but not overbearing. They should be concerned, but not controlling. You can be very invested in your child’s education without also being President of the PTA. I think the study corroborates that viewpoint, even if only indirectly.

“In short, help your kids with their homework. Just don’t do it for them.”

Children will have to stand on their own two feet and follow their own path. But they will need guidance and the sound footing to go forward. This is primarily the parents responsibility, but the parents can not go forward as their child’s substitute.